Mechanical bull-float for finishing concrete



Sept. 28, 1965 s. P. BIDWELL 2 Sheets-Sheet 1L Filed Deo.

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Filed Dec. 26, 1962, Ser. No. 247,397 Claims. (Cl. 94--45) The present application is a continuation-impart of application Serial No. 140,797, tiled September 26, 1961 on a Mechanical Bullfloat for Finishing Concrete.

The said invention relates to a mechanical bull-oat for finishing concrete.

An object of said invention is to provide an arrangement for finishing off concrete on bridges, highways, etc.

A further object of the invention is to provide an arrangement which operates in an automatic manner and smoothly finishes olf the concrete in accordance with the required slope or pitch of the roadway.

A further object of the invention is to provide `an arrangement whereby a certain reciprocating apparatus will finish ofi the crown of the roadway, and which apparatus is adjustable as to length and the like to thereby provide the various roadway widths.

A further object of said invention is to provide a readily adjustable arrangement for correctly accommodating the apparatus to the required pitch of the roadway.

A further object of said invention is to provide an arrangement whereby the apparatus :can be rendered portable.

With these land other objects in view, said invention consists in the construction, arrangement, and combination of the various parts of said device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in the claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a cross section of a roadway showing the loperation of the said apparatus on the same,

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged plan View of a portion of FIGURE l,

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged end View of the reciprocating arrangement shown in FIGURE l,

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged detail of one of the adjusting members,

FIGURE 5 is a view of the apparatus with the portable arrangement attached thereto, FIGURE 6 is an enlarged detail,

FIGURE 7 is a further enlarged detail, and

FIGURE 8 is a `side elevation of an extra structure provided to lengthen the unit. f The present invention contemplates the provision of an arrangement which can be secured transversely of a roadway of any type, and wherein the device will be automatically powered and driven to smooth the concrete thereon, and wherein the slope of the concrete can be readily accommodated.

In described the invention, the character 10 indicates a roadway, which could be on a bridge for instance, and which roadway slopes downwardly from the central raised portion 11.

The character 12 indicates the sides of the bridge, to which are clamped at 13 the vertically positioned supports 14, to which supports 14 are attached the longitudinally positioned screed pipes 15, which are adapted to support the entire arrangement.

Bearing against the screed pipes 15 are the rollers 16, which are journalled on the members 17, which members 17 are secured to the vertically positioned pipes 18, which are adjustably positioned by means of the handles 19, which can be rotated to adjust the members 18 vertically,

'3,208,361 Patented Sept. 28, 1965 there being four of these units, one for each corner of the entire arrangement.

The members 18 are engaged with the cylindrical vertical members 20, which members 20 are attached to the support braces 21 and 22. The braces 21 terminate at the apex portions 23. Secured to the apex portions 23 are the bars 24, through which pass a threaded rod 25 having the nuts 26 engaged therewith, this arrangement thereby providing means whereby loosening and rre-tightening of the nuts 26 will change the angular pitch of the unit at either side.

Secured to the members 22 are the substantially square posts 27 which pass through the sockets 28, and attached to the sockets 28 are the set screws 29 to engage the posts 27, and attached to the sockets 28 at 30 are the vertically positioned rods 31, which are secured at 32 to the channels 33. Attached to the rods 31 `are the further vertically positioned upwardly extending stud members 34, which pass through the ears 35 which are secured to the top of the posts 27, the nuts 36 being threadably engaged with the threaded portions 37 of the studs 34, whereby positioning of the nuts 36 and re-tightening of the set screws 29 will adjust the angular position of the channels 33, so that, as will be explained later, the device will properly be adjusted to the pitch of the roadway itself.

The character 38 indicates a pair of support frameworks to which are attached the rollers 39 which engage the inner webs of the channels 33, and attached to the members 38 also are the lixed shafts 40 upon which are mounted the rollers 41 which bear against the lower sides of the channels 33. Attached across the members 38 are the tubular members 42 which engage the further rollers 43 and 44, these rollers being suitably secured together by means of the braces 45 (see FIGURE 2), the character 46 indicating transverse braces.

The braces 45 continue downwardly into the portions 47 which are secured -at 48 to the substantially square-insection member 49 (see FIGURE 7 also) which is adjustably secured by means of the nuts 50 engaging the studs 51, The studs 51 are attached as at 52 toI the relatively heavy plank 53 which provides the smoothing operation, this plank thereby being adjustably secured by means of the members 50 etc. if desired for relative angular positioning and the like.

The character 54 indicates braces attached to the members 47 etc., and the character 55 indicates a vertical post to which is pivoted at 56 a rod 57 which is pivotally attached at 58 to a crank arm 59 which is suitably operated from a gear box 60, which gear box includes elements driven by the pulley 61, which pulley engages the belt 62 which engages a pulley 63 operated by the engine 64, this arrangement thereby imparting a reciprocating motion to the plank 53.

Attached at the end of the members 22 is a socket 65 (see FIGURE 1) which threadably engages `a member 66 which is rotated by means of the crank arm 67 to provide adjustable tightening means for the lengthened continuous chains 68 which pass over the `sprockets 69 suitably attached to the member 66, the chains also passing over the sprockets 70 which eare driven by means of the power unit 71, 72, etc., the chains also being attached at 73 to the spaced pipes 42, so that these chains will thereby pull the reciprocating unit consisting of the plank 53, etc.

The character 74 indicates hinges connected medially between the members 22 to permit a hinging action when the adjustment is made to t the Surface of the roadway, and the character 75 indicates suitable brackets which together with the members 76 provide attachment of the members 20, etc., to the members 22.

The characters 77, 78, etc., indicate further bracing members, and the character 79 indicates idler sprockets over which the chains 68 travel.

In many cases if it is desired to accommodate the unit to a much wider roadway, the member shown in FIG- URE 8 can be employed, which acts as a spacer and which comprises the various members 80, Sil, 82, etc., the member 82 including similar stud units 34 and the like, the

characters 83 and 84 indicating braces, with the character ,85 indicating straps or bars similar to the bars 24 having openings at 86 for receiving elongated `studs to provide simllar adjustment by using the nuts 26, the members 82 being substantially similar to the support members 22,

and. attached to the members 82 also are the straps 87 -having the construction at 88 whereby central unit can be pinned to the outer units, the extra channels `89 communicating with the channels 33, Also, when it is desired to pull the unit along a roadway for instance, the hitch member 90 is attached as at 91 to the framework, and t-he members 92 are clamped at 93, and attached to the members 92 are the carriage structures 94 to which are journalled the wheels 95, this arrangement being shown in FIGURE 5.

The device operates in the following manner. It will be noted that the sprocket chains 68 will carry the entire unit compris-ing the pipes 42, the plank 53, etc. in either' direction of the arrows 96, the motor 72 being reversible, so that the bull float plank 53 can be carried over the entire width lof the roadway, and the unit can be advanced longitudinally of the roadway by moving the entire framework along the screed pipes l5, with the rollers 39 carrying the unit. The entire unit is moved at either side by an operator at either side, these operators merely advancing the framework at the desired speed. During the movement across the roadway, and as the chains 68 pull the unit across the roadway, the plank 53 will be reciprocated by means of the members S7, 59, etc., thereby providing the proper smoothing, etc. action of the concrete itself, and it will be noted that the proper adjustment `of the various spaced studs 34 as explained will cause the reciprocating unit to advance at the desired pitch toward the midpoint of the roadway, and to the other side.

It will thus be noted that the unit is completely adjustable as to the pitch of the roadway, it can be adjusted as to length, can be rendered portable by means of the structure shown in FIGURE 5, the plank 53 can be adjusted angularly as desired for whatever purpose desired, and it will be further noted that the device includes further `advantages readily apparent.

Some changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of the parts of this invention without departing from the real spirit and purpose of this invention, and it is intended to cover by the claims any modified forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents which may be reasonably included within their scope.

The following is claimed in the said invention:

1. A concrete finishing machine adapted to travel along a -pair of laterally spaced rails, a trusswork, wheel means for advancing said trusswork along said rails, a surfacing unit, said surfacing unit including an elongated bulloat member adapted to surface concrete, means for horizontally reciprocating said bulloat member relative to said unit, said surfacing unit being movably supported from said trusswork for reciprocation between said rails, rigid means positioned between :said trusswork and said surfacing unit to provide a rigid association of said unit with `said trusswork including channels `attached to said trusswork, rollers positioned above and below said channels, said rollers being attached to :said surfacing unit, means for providing a rigid association against vertical movement between said bullfloat and said surfacing unit.

2. A concrete finishing machine adapted to travel along a pair of laterally spaced rails comprising: an elongated trusswork, Wheel means for advancing said trusswork along said rails, said trusswork including horizontally spaced channels extending longitudinally therealong and between said wheels, a surfacing units said surfacing unit being movably supported from said spaced channels for reciprocation between said wheels, said moveable support including rollers positioned above and below and engaging said channels, said rollers being attached to said surfacing unit, said surfacing unit including an elongated bullfioat member adapted to surface concrete, the longitudinal axis of said bulloat member being positioned perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of said trusswork, said surfacing unit including a pair of transversely spaced pipes extending parallel to the longitudinal direction of said bulloat, other rollers attached to said bulliloat engaging said pipes and supporting said bulloat, Said other rollers being positioned -above and below said pipes, means for reciprocating said bulloat member relative to -said unit whereby said bullfloat member moves back and forth perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of said trusswork as said surfacing unit reciprocates along Said channels between said wheels.

3. A concrete finishing machine adapted to travel along a pair of laterally spaced rails comprising: an elongated trusswork, wheel means for advancing said trusswork along said rails, said trusswork including horizontally spaced -channels extending longitudinally therealong rand between said wheels, support means for Kadjustably positioning said channels vertically, said support means including the lower spaced horizontal braces of said trusswork, posts attached to said horizontal braces `and spaced horizontally therealong, sockets attached to said channels and receiving said posts, and stud members adjustably attached to said posts and supporting said channels, a surfacing unit, said surfacing unit being moveably supported `from said spaced channels for reciprocation between said wheels, said moveable support including rollers positioned above and below and engaging said channels, said rollers being attached to said surfacing unit, said surfacing unit including an elongated bulloat member adapted to surface concrete, the longitudinal axis of said bulloat member being positioned perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of said trusswork, said surfacing unit -including a pair of transversely spaced pipes extending parallel to the longitudinal direction of said bullfloat, other rollers attached to said bullfloat, engaging said pipes and supporting said bulliloat, said other rollers being positioned above and below said pipes, means for reciprocating said bulloat member relative to said unit whereby said bullfloat member moves back and forth perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of said trusswork as said surfacing unit reciprocates along said vertically adjustable channels extending between said wheels.

4. A concrete `finishing machine adapted to travel yalong a pair of laterally spaced rails comprising; an elongated trusswork, wheel means for advancing said trusswork along said rails, said trusswork including horizontally spaced channels extending longitudinally there-along and between said wheels, a surfacing unit, said surfacing unit being movably supported from said spaced channels for reciprocation between said wheels, said moveable support including rollers positioned above and below and engaging said channels, said rollers being attached to said surfacing unit, said surfacing unit including an elongated bulloat member adapted to surface concrete, the longitudinal `axis of said bullfloat member being positioned perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of said trusswork, said surfacing unit including a pair of transversely spaced pipes extending parallel to the longitudinal direction of said bulloat, other rollers attached to said bulloat engaging said pipes and supporting said bullfloat, said other rollers being positioned above and below said pipes, means for reciprocating said bullffloat member relative to said unit whereby said bullfioat member moves back and forth perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of said trusswork as said surfacing unit reciprocates along said channel between said wheels, said reciprocating means including a driven eccentric pitman, means attached between said eccentric pitman and said bu'lloat member, means for vertically adjustably positioning said trusswork at the corners thereof including vertically positioned supports attached to Vsaid trusswork, rotatable screws threadafbly engaging said supports and attached at their lower ends to said wheel means.

5. A concrete nishing machine adapted to travel along a pair of laterally spaced rails comprising; an elongated trusswork, wheel means for advancing said trusswork along said rails, said trusswork including horizontally spaced channels extending longitudinally therealong and between said Wheels, support means for adjustably positioning said channel vertically, said support means including the lower spaced horizontal braces of said truss- Work, posts att-ached to said horizontal braces and spa-ced horizontally therealong, sockets attached to said channels and receiving said posts, and stud members adjustably `attached to said posts and supporting said channels, a surfacing unit, said surfacing unit being moveably supported from said spaced channels for reciprocation `between said Wheels, said moveable support including rollers positioned above and below and engaging said channels, said rollers being attached to said surfacing unit, said surfacing unit including :an elongated bullfloat member adapted to surface concrete, the longitudinal axis of said bullfloat member being positioned perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of said trusswork, said surfacing unit including a pair of transversely spaced pipes extending parallel to the longitudinal direction lof said bulllloat, other rollers `attached to said bullfloat, engaging said pipes and supporting said bulloat, said other rollers being positioned above and below said pipes, means for reciprocating said bull-float member relative to said unit whereby said bullfloat member moves `back land forth perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of said trussswork as said surfacing unit reciprocates along said vertically adjustable channels extending 'between said wheels, said elongated trusswork including a pair of opposed sect-ions having upper horizontally `adjustable portions for changing the pitch of said sections.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,832,951 1'1/31 Thorson 94-45 X 2,038,498 4/36 Mosel 9445 2,054,437 9/36 Mosel 94-46 2,376,023 5/45 Bailey 14-13 2,601,277 6/52 Green 94-50 X 2,603,132 7/52 Miller 94-45 2,957,396 10/60 Bederman et al. 94-45 3,113,494 12/ 63 Barnes 94-45 JACOB L. NACKENOFF, Primary Examiner. 

1. A CONCRETE FINISHING MACHINE ADAPTED TO TRAVEL ALONG A PAIR OF LATERALLY SPACED RAILS, A TRUSSWORK, WHEEL MEANS FOR ADVANCING SAID TRUSSWORK ALONG SAID RAILS, A SURFACE UNIT, SAID SURFACING UNIT INCLUDING AN ELONGATED BULLFLOAT MEMBER ADAPTED TO SURFACE CONCRETE, MEANS FOR HORIZONTALLY RECIPROCATING SAID BULLFLOAT MEMBER RELATIVE TO SAID UNIT, SAID SURFACE UNIT BEING MOVABLY SUPPORTED FROM SAID TRUSSWORK FOR RECIPROCATION BETWEEN SAID RAILS, RIGID MEANS POSITIONED BETWEEN SAID TRUSSWORK AND SAID SURFACING UNIT TO PROVIDE A RIGID ASSOCIATION OF SAID UNIT WITH SAID TRUSSWORK INCLUDING CHANNELS ATTACHED TO SAID TRUSSWORK, ROLLERS POSITIONED ABOVE AND BELOW SAID CHANNELS, SAID ROLLERS BEING ATTACHED TO SAID SURFACING UNIT, MEANS FOR PROVIDING A RIGID ASSOCIATION AGAINST VERTICAL MOVEMENT BETWEEN SAID BULLFLOAT AND SAID SURFACING UNIT. 